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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 33: Activities of Kapila
3.33.273.33.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.28

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.33.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तद्देह: परत: पोषोऽप्यकृशश्चाध्यसम्भवात् ।

बभौ मलैरवच्छन्न: सधूम इव पावक: ॥ २८ ॥

tad-dehaḥ parataḥ poṣo

’py akṛśaś cādhy-asambhavāt

babhau malair avacchannaḥ

sadhūma iva pāvakaḥ

Translation

Her body was being taken care of by the spiritual damsels created by her husband, Kardama, and since she had no mental anxiety at that time, her body did not become thin. She appeared just like a fire surrounded by smoke.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Inner Purity Amid Outward Comfort

  1. 1

    Devahūti was always in transcendental bliss, with her mind carefully fixed on the Personality of Godhead. Situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, she had no mental anxiety.

  2. 2

    The celestial maidservants created by Kardama maintained her body, so it did not become thin.

  3. 3

    Although accepting such service might appear contrary to renounced life, Devahūti remained completely pure. She was like a beautiful fire surrounded by smoke.

Key points from the purport
  • She did not become thin, for she was taken care of by the celestial maidservants created by her husband.
  • Devahūti, being situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, had no mental anxieties, and therefore her body did not become thin.
  • This may appear to be against the spiritual concept of life, but just as fire is still beautiful even when surrounded by smoke, she looked completely pure although it seemed that she was living in a luxurious way.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Entanglement → Insight and liberation. Inquiry matures into instruction in devotion and spiritual nature.

Chapters 25–33 of Canto 3: Kapila instructs Devahūti. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 33: Activities of Kapila

Devahūti follows Kapila’s instructions and attains liberation; Kapila travels onward and receives prayers and offerings.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.33
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tat-dehaḥher body
  2. parataḥby others (the damsels created by Kardama)
  3. poṣaḥmaintained
  4. apialthough
  5. akṛśaḥnot thin
  6. caand
  7. ādhianxiety
  8. asambhavātfrom not occurring
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “renounced”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I judge spiritual purity mainly by outward appearances?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute fixing your thoughts on the Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.33's connections

Live this todayInner Purity Amid Outward ComfortThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.33.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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